Hindus in Nepal as well as all over the world are celebrating the festival of Laxmi Pooja by worshipping the Goddess of Wealth on the third day of Tihar festival on Tuesday.
On the third day of Yamapanchak, Laxmi, the Goddess of wealth, is worshipped throughout the country in accordance with time-honored tradition.
The people worship Goddess Laxmi and their wealth in the evening, wishing for their and their family’s prosperity. On this day, the Goddess of wealth (Laxmi) is worshiped in every Hindu household by means of pooja, decoration, candle lights, and oil lamps.
All the nooks and corners of the house including the courtyard, rooms and cowsheds are cleaned and illuminated with colorful and decorative lights today evening in the belief that Goddess Laxmi does not come to places which are not properly illuminated. Some people light lamps and spend the whole night in vigil to please the goddess.
Laxmi pooja is performed at dusk using red mud. Pooja is often done by the lady of the house. She uses her hand covered with red mud to make a symbolic footprint on the floor entering the home and makes a trail leading to the Pooja room.
Laxmi Pooja is not only celebrated inside households. It is also done in similar manner at offices and businesses like shops and restaurants and staffs are invited to participate in the Pooja ceremony.
Along with Laxmi Pooja, people are also celebrating Gai (Cow) Pooja today by worshipping cow. Hindus believe cow to be holy.
Cows are worshipped as the worldly manifestation of Goddess Laxmi. Legend has it that gods and goddesses reside in each and every cow.
The Gai Pooja is performed by putting a tika on the forehead of a cow, a flower garland on the neck, and offering good meals.
Those performing Gai Pooja place cow-dung at different parts of the home and drink a drop or two of the cow's urine, as a part of a purification process.
In the evening time, cultural programmes like 'Deusi' and 'Bhailo' are also held – which are the highlights of the Tihar festival.
Meanwhile, Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) Monday said there will be no relaxation in power cuts under the existing schedule even during Tihar.
This will probably be the first time in many years where consumers would have to celebrate Tihar, which is also called the festival of lights, in darkness. nepalnews.com Oct 28 08
